Vicky Cristina Barcelona

First things first, let's give a rousing applause for the little theatre on Indianola, Studio 35! One of a genre of older, small theatres that now shows indies and first runs, but Studio 35 also has an updated concession stand (updated = good popcorn & microbrews), and reupholstered seats. (Who hasn't sat down in an 'indi' theatre only to smell and feel things on the seats that just aren't right?)

I found "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" to be interesting, yet at the end I still had to ask myself why I found it interesting. Could it be that some scenes were just dripping with passion? I would never have guessed that Javier Bardem would be the same man in "No Country for Old Men," if Judy had not told me. Maybe I found it interesting because the story is plausible, and most men probably would like a love crazed ex-lover like Penlope Cruz. It's definitely a good character study. But the ending was lacking, no improvement in their lives and no decline, just very unsatisfying lives.

Scarlett Johansson is not to be missed in "Lost in Translation," but these types of roles do not promote her acting ability. And I wished Patricia Clarkson's role as 'Judy' was bigger, or at least more fulfilling with some sort of Hollywood ending. Maybe there would have been some closure if she had at least gone off on her own, versus Rebecca Hall's 'Vicky.' Perhaps that's the whole point of the movie, how many people live unsatisfying lives?

Tropical Thunder

OK, I think anyone having seen "Something About Mary" could see the hands of Ben Stiller at work again. This movie is pretty funny, and a must see for anyone who likes "Saturday Night Live" or the afore mentioned classic. The humor is uneven, so the Jr. High humor and gross-out stunts mixed with an over the top peek into egos of these Hollywood caricatures makes for more laughs. Looks like Nick Nolte is taking his mid-life career to the same level as William Shatner, which has created a pretty successful franchise for the latter.

Great night, great to see everyone and welcome Chris into our ranks!

Next Meeting - Aug 28

The next meeting of the Columbus Film Guild will be this Thursday. Don't miss it!!

Tropic Thunder
7:45 AMC Lennox Town Theater
777 Kinnear Road
Meet in the lobby at 7:30

Discussion after at Cup O Joe.

Dark Knight (2008), Written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, Directed by Christopher Nolan

Eek! I could not turn away from this dark film, yet found the storyline confusing. There were just too many subplots (i.e. is this the end of Batman, will Lucius Fox leave Wayne Enterprises, what will Batman do for a girlfriend, will Alfred get over being disappointed in Bruce Wayne, what did/did not happen to Lt. Gordon, etc.) and more than enough sadistic killing for one film. I completely concur with the NYT critic who said, among other things, that the film was "jumbled." But boy was that Bat-cycle cool! And Christian Bale was as good to look at as Heath Ledger was repulsive. As villians go, Heath Ledger was just as creepy and intriguing as Jack Nicholson in that earlier Batman (1989).